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Rediscovering Arabic Science: Islamic Scientific Heritage in the last issue of Saudi Aramco World

In its current issue (May-June 2007), Saudi Aramco World, a magazine devoted to increase cross-cultural understanding published in Houston, Texas, dedicated a folder of 20 pages on Islamic science. The folder consists of three articles illustrated with a rich iconography, accompanied with illuminating explanatory captions. They were written by Richard Covington, a journalist based in Paris, who collaborates with several newspapers and Medias.

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In its current issue (May-June 2007), Saudi Aramco World, a magazine devoted to increase cross-cultural understanding published in Houston, Texas, dedicated a folder of 20 pages on Islamic science. The folder consists of three articles illustrated with a rich iconography, accompanied with illuminating explanatory captions. They were written by Richard Covington, a journalist based in Paris, who collaborates with several newspapers and Medias.

Figure 1: Taqi al-Din ibn Ma'ruf, the director of Istanbul Observatory in late 16th century. He's one of the two senior astronomers (wearing largest turbans) standing behind the table, one holding an astrolabe (Image from www.muslimheritage.com).

Obviously, the author went through specialized literature and made interviews with some historians of Islamic science in order to gain knowledge on the topic. His output came as quite comprehensive, covering all important aspects of the Islamic scientific and technological tradition.

With this achievement, another piece of evidence is provided to the general readers and all interested public across the world who will certainly enjoy reading this easily readable and well documented coverage about one of the most glorious pages of Islamic civilisation and one of the richest episodes of the history of science.

The magazine is published in print, and reproduces its articles on the internet also. Here are the relevant URLs to the folder on Islamic science:

The interested readers may also find information about Islamic science and technology on the website of the touring exhibition 1001 inventions: Discover Muslim Heritage in our World: www.1001inventions.com. The concept of the exhibition was assembled in a book: 1001 inventions: Discover Muslim Heritage in our World that can be purchased from www.1001inventions.com

Figure 2: The cover page of 1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World. Click here to order the book.